Multifunctional reel carrier-vac-spoil material handling container and method of trenching and laying cable or duct

ABSTRACT

Provided is a multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling container device having a first trailer or first truck bed, a first container constructed to contain spoil on the first trailer or first truck bed, at least one spoil transporting device constructed to transfer spoil from a micro trencher and deposit the spoil in the first container and constructed to transfer spoil from the first container to a fill device, and at least one reel holder constructed to hold a reel of cable and/or innerduct/microduct present on the first truck or first trailer, or present on a second trailer or second truck. Also provided is a method of using the multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling container device to lay cable and/or innerduct/microduct underground.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a multifunctional reel carrier, spoilmaterial handling container device for continuously trenching and layingcable and/or innerduct/microduct, and a method of using the device tocontinuously trench and lay cable and/or innerduct/microduct. Theinvention further generally provides a method and device for providing atemporary and permanent optical fiber network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional devices for the trenching and laying cable or duct cannotbe used continuously. The micro trencher saw usually creates a pile ofspoil (dirt, asphalt, concrete, etc.) alongside the formed trench andthe trench must be cleaned before laying the cable in the trench. Thepile of spoil must then be removed. A fill, also referred to as cementor grout, is inserted into the trench on top of the cable orinnerduct/microduct. Large industrial vacuum trailers have been used toremove the piled up spoil. However, many hours are wasted by having todump the spoil from the trailers.

There is a great need for a device that can be used to continuouslyremove and in some instances recycle the spoil to in effort to increasethe speed for placing the cable and/or innerduct/microduct and to reducethe down time of roadways, and also to reduce production costs.

While the Vacuum truck concept is known in the industry, there is nocurrent vacuum system that allows one to use a second vacuum or onevacuum to expel the cutting spoils into a cement/zim mixer or containerallowing for the material to be recycled.

Installing new optical fiber networks to a location is expensive andtime consuming. There is a great need for faster and less expensiveinstallation of optical fiber networks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the invention is to provide a device to continuouslyform a microtrench, remove and store/recycle the spoils and place cableand/or innderduct/microduct.

The objectives of the invention can be achieved by a multifunctionalreel carrier, spoil material handling container device constructed forcontinuously trenching, laying a cable or innerduct/microduct, andfilling the trench comprising:

-   -   a first trailer or first truck;    -   a first container constructed to contain spoil on the first        trailer or first truck;    -   at least one spoil transport device constructed to continuously        transport at least a portion of the spoil from a micro trencher        creating a trench and deposit the spoil in the first container        and constructed to transfer at least a portion of the spoil from        the first container to a fill device; and    -   at least one reel holder constructed to hold a reel of the cable        or innerduct/microduct on the first trailer or first truck, or        on a second trailer or second truck and constructed to        continuously lay the cable or innerduct/microduct in the trench.

The objectives can further be obtained a method of laying cable orinnerduct/microduct comprising:

-   -   using a micro-trencher to continuously cut a micro-trench in the        ground and create spoil;    -   continuously transferring the spoil from the micro-trencher        using a multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling        container device comprising:        -   a first truck or first trailer;        -   a first container constructed to contain spoil on the first            truck or first trailer; and        -   a first spoil transfer device constructed to transfer spoil            from a micro trencher and deposit the spoil in the first            container;    -   continuously laying a cable and/or innerduct/microduct in the        trench from a reel device located on the first truck or first        trailer, or on a second truck or second trailer;    -   continuously using a second spoil transfer device to transfer        spoil from the at least one container to a fill device and    -   continuously filling the trench with a fill from the fill        device, wherein the fill comprises at least a portion of the        spoil.

Objectives of the invention can be further met by a method of providinga temporary and permanent optical fiber network comprising:

-   -   dispensing an optical fiber from a support, the optical fiber        having a first end and a second end;    -   laying the dispensed optical fiber on a surface;    -   covering the dispensed optical fiber with a protection device        that protects the optical fiber from footwear or vehicle        traffic;    -   connecting the first end to a feed;    -   connecting the second end to a desired user; and    -   using the method of claim 9 to bury the optical fiber to form a        permanent optical fiber network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a multifunctional reel carrier, spoilmaterial handling container device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a multifunctional reel carrier, spoilmaterial handling container device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the multifunctional reel carrier, spoilmaterial handling container device connected to a micro trencher and afill device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the multifunctional reel carrier, spoilmaterial handling container device connected to a micro trencher and afill device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view of another embodiment of the multifunctionalreel carrier, spoil material handling container device connected to amicro trencher and a fill device.

FIG. 6A illustrates a container device having an intake syste.

FIG. 6B illustrates a container device having a sloping floor.

FIG. 6C illustrates a container device having a mechanical movingsystem.

FIG. 6D illustrates a container device having a moving inlet device.

FIG. 6E illustrates a container device having a dump body.

FIG. 7 illustrates a reel.

FIG. 8A illustrates an embodiment of the truck 124 showing how thecontainer device can be dumped.

FIG. 8B illustrates an embodiment of the truck 124 showing how thecontainer device can be dumped.

FIG. 8C illustrates an intake system for the container device.

FIG. 8D illustrates an embodiment of the truck 124 showing how thecontainer device can be dumped.

FIG. 8E illustrates an intake system for the container device

FIG. 9A illustrates an embodiment of spoil transport device.

FIG. 9B illustrates an embodiment of spoil transport device.

FIG. 10 illustrates a marker line.

FIG. 11A illustrates a sidewalk and curb having a temporary opticalfiber network and micro-trenches cut to move the temporary optical fibernetwork into a permanent position.

FIG. 11B illustrates a box having optical fiber that can be dispensed asneeded.

FIG. 11C illustrates a reel of optical fiber connected to a splitter.

FIG. 11D illustrates a reel of optical fiber connected to a splitter.

FIG. 11E illustrates a reel of optical fiber.

FIG. 11F illustrates a reel of optical fiber.

FIG. 11G illustrates a loose coil of optical fiber.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and notlimitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular networks,communication systems, computers, terminals, devices, components,techniques, data and network protocols, software products and systems,operating systems, development interfaces, hardware, etc. in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention with referenceto the attached non-limiting Figures.

However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the presentinvention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from thesespecific details. Detailed descriptions of well-known networks,communication systems, computers, terminals, devices, components,techniques, data and network protocols, software products and systems,operating systems, development interfaces, and hardware are omitted soas not to obscure the description.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the multifunctional reel carrier, spoil materialhandling container device 100 comprises a trailer or truck bed 102 sothat the device 100 can be moved along with a micro trencher 2. The sizeof the trailer or bed 102 can be any desired size, for example from 5 to40 feet. The reel loader/carrier device 100 includes at least a firstcontainer 104 sized to hold spoil 12 created by the cutting wheel 10cutting a trench 11, for example from 50 to 4,000 cubic feet in size.The first container 104 is constructed to hold the spoil 12. A firstvacuum device 110 has an inlet 111 disposed at the micro trencher 2 tosuck up the spoil 12, and optionally to also remove spoil 12 from thetrench 11. An outlet 112 of the first vacuum device 110 deposits thespoil 12 into the first container 104. A second vacuum device 114 has aninlet 115 connected to the first container 104 to remove spoil from thefirst container 104 and an outlet 116 connected to a fill device 200.Thus, the multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handlingcontainer device 100 is constructed to move spoil 12 from the microtrencher 2 to the first container 104 and then to the fill device 200.Instead of the fill device 200, the second vacuum device 114 can movethe spoil to a truck or other vehicle 300 for removal of the spoil fromthe job site or to recycle the spoil back into the microtrench. Thefirst container 104 has at least one outlet 118 can have a filter toprevent spoil from being ejected into the air. The outlet 118 can allowair to enter or leave the first container 104. The reel loader 104includes at least one reel holder 120 constructed to hold a reel ofcable or innerduct/microduct 121. The reel loader/carrier 104 preferablyincludes a plurality of reel holders that can be adjusted in height andmoved manually or mechanically/hydraulically from front to back, back tofront, side to side, or up and down 120.

To facilitate vacuuming of the spoil 12 from the container 104,different methods to move the spoil 12 within the container 104 can beutilized. Examples of suitable methods include, but are not limited to asloping floor 119 or mechanical moving systems 117 such as augers orconveyors or a tilting mechanism such as a dump body 129. Alternatively,an inlet moving device 123 for moving an inlet hose 127 within thecontainer 104 can be utilized. In another embodiment the outlet 112 canbe connected to the inlet 115 using a connection such as a valve.

As shown in FIG. 7, the reel holders 120 can be adjustable in height andlocation either manually or mechanically 143, such as using a tread orlocking rail system, to accommodate different size reels. Multiple reelholders 120 can be utilized so that multiple cables and/or ducts 121 canbe laid in the trench 11 simultaneously. The reel holders can also havemanual or mechanical/automatic winding systems 145 allowing the cable,innderduct/microduct to be easily removed from the reels 121 and placedin the trench 11.

Any suitable micro trencher 2 can be utilized in the present invention.Non-limiting examples of suitable micro trenchers include those made andsold by Ditch Witch, Vermeer, and Marais. A micro trencher is a “smallrock wheel” specially designed for work in rural or urban areas. Themicro trencher 2 is fitted with a cutting wheel 10 that cuts amicrotrench 11 with smaller dimensions than can be achieved withconventional trench digging equipment. Microtrench widths usually rangefrom about 6 mm to 130 mm (¼ to 5 inches) with a depth of 500 mm (20inches) or less. Other widths and depths can be used as desired. Forexample, up to 30 inches deep can be used.

With a micro trencher 2, the structure of the road, sidewalk, driveway,or path is maintained and there is no associated damage to the road.Owing to the reduced trench size, the volume of waste material excavatedis also reduced. Micro trenchers 2 are used to minimize traffic orpedestrian disturbance during cable laying. A micro trencher 2 can workon sidewalks or in narrow streets of cities, and can cut harder groundthan a chain trencher, including cutting through for example but notlimited to solid stone, concrete, and asphalt. The term ground as usedherein includes, soil, asphalt, stone, concrete, grass, dirt, sand,brick, cobblestone, or any other material the trench 11 is cut into andthe optical fiber buried within.

FIG. 5 shows another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Amicro trencher 2 is used to cut a micro trench 11. The multifunctionalreel carrier, spoil material handling container device 100 can comprisea truck 124 and trailer 125 so that the device 100 can be moved alongwith a micro trencher 2. The trailer 125 can be a separate truck ifdesired instead of a trailer. The reel loader/carrier device 100includes at least a first container 104 sized to hold spoil 12 createdby the cutting wheel 10 cutting a trench 11. The first container 104 isconstructed to hold the spoil 12. A vacuum device 130 has an inlet 111disposed at the micro trencher 2 to suck up the spoil 12, and optionallyto also remove spoil 12 from the trench 11. The inlet 111 comprises ahose. The inlet 111 can be connected to the container 104 and the vacuumdevice 130 connected to the container 104 so that when a vacuum ispulled on the container 104, the spoil 12 is sucked through the inlet111 into the container 104. In this instance, the container 104 can beconstructed to substantially maintain its shape when a vacuum is pulled.A safety valve can be present to prevent too much of a vacuum beingpulled on the container 104. Alternatively, the inlet 111 can beconnected to the vacuum device 130 and the spoil deposited into thecontainer 104. The vacuum device 130 has an intake system 113 or inlet127 inside the container 104 to suck up spoil 12 inside the container104. An outlet 116 of the vacuum device 130 transfers the spoil 12 tothe fill device 200 or to another vehicle 300 as shown in FIG. 4.Alternatively, the truck 124 can be fitted with two vacuum devices 110and 114 as shown in FIG. 4 in place of the single vacuum device 130.Thus, the multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handlingcontainer device 100 is constructed to move spoil 12 from the microtrencher 2 to the first container 104 and then to the fill device 200.

As shown in FIGS. 6A-6E, the container 104 can be any desired shape,such as square, rectangular, or tubular and hold anywhere from 1 cu yardof spoil to 100 yds of spoil 12. The spoil intake, inlet 111, can be anydesired location on the container 104, such as on the top, back, frontor side of the container 104 or connected to the container 104 via thevacuum 110 or 130. Spoil removal intake system 113 or inlet 127 can belocated in any desired position in the container 104, such as on thebottom, side, front or rear. The intake system 113 can have one largeopening or multiple smaller openings spread out to remove the spoil 12evenly from the container 104. The container 104 can have an opening anda lifting device 129, such as hydraulics, to lift or tilt the container104 to move the spoil within the container 104 or to remove the spoilfrom the container. For example, the container 104 can be part of dumptruck. Thus, the container 104 can have the ability to off load spoil 12by tilting to either side to dump the spoil 12 through a door 183 or canbe raised, expelling the spoil 12 from the rear. The side wall(s) and orback of the container 104 can be locked manually or hydraulically toensure no spoil 12 or dust can leak out during the vacuum intake orouttake process. A fill gauge 161 can be installed showing how full thecontainer 104 is. An air valve 163 can be installed to adjust the airpressure inside of the container 104, such as allowing air to be removedduring and after operation when spoil 12 passes through the vacuumdevice and then into container 104 as shown in FIG. 4, or to allow airinto the container 104 to prevent too low of a vacuum in the container104 when the spoil 12 is sucked directly into the container as shown inFIG. 5. An air filter 167 can be installed allowing air to be releasedreducing pressure build up in the container 104 while containing dustinside of the container 104. Pressure gauge 161 can be installed tomonitor the pressure in the container 104. The interior of the container104 can have a stationary slant in the bed 119 or a mechanical bed 117to help move the spoil 112 to a designated release point.

A conventional vacuum truck can be modified to remove spoil 12 from thecontainer 104 by adding the intake system 113, adding an outlet 116 tofill device 200, and modifying the vacuum device 130 and/or adding anadditional vacuum device to transfer spoil 12 from the saw 10 to thecontainer 104 and to the fill device 200. FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate amodified vacuum dump truck 124.

The reel loader 104 includes at least one reel holder 120 constructed tohold a reel of cable or innerduct/microduct 121. The reel loader/carrier100 preferably includes a plurality of reel holders that can be adjustedin height 143 and moved manually or mechanically/hydraulically fromfront to back, back to front, side to side, or up and down 120. Toreduce the overall height of the device, the reel holders 120 can bemounted on a separate trailer 125 that is towed by the truck 124.

The first vacuum device 110 and second vacuum device 114, and vacuumdevice 130 are constructed to suck up and expel the spoil. Commercialexamples of suitable vacuum devices 110, 114, 130 are those made by SCAGGiant Vac., DR Power, and Billy Goat. The inlets 111, 115, 130 andoutlets 112, 116 of the vacuum devices can be conventional hoses, suchas 4 to 16 inch diameter hoses. The vacuum devices 110, 114 can alsohave a water misting system 148 that is attached to a 150 water tank.The misting system 148 can be engaged manually or electronicallyprogrammed to emit a water mist inside the container 104 minimizingdust. The vacuum devices 110, 114, 130 can run on gas, diesel, electricor solar power. The vacuum devices 110, 114, 130 can have a steelimpeller inside that will allow for any debris to be pulverized orchopped into smaller pieces. The vacuum devices 110, 114, 130 can bemounted on a truck or can be on a trailer and hitched to a vehicle fortransportation. The vacuum devices 110, 114, 130 can be hooked updirectly to a vehicle gas tank in order to eliminate a separate fuelingmechanism. The vacuum fuel tank can have its own independent gas tankfueling mechanism. If one vacuum is used to do both intake and outtake,a secondary outtake valve 156 can be used for the spoil to be expelled.The intake valve 154 may need to be closed or shut off so no spoils willbe expelled out of the saw connection. The intake system 113 can alsohave a valve 152 for controlling the amount of spoil 12 to be removedfrom the container 104. The vacuum can have a CFM (Cubic Feet perMinute) throttle allowing the intake and outtake speeds to be adjustedbased on the operators requirements.

The present invention also relates to a method of laying cable and/orinnerduct/microduct 140. An exemplary method is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.A micro trencher 2 is used to dig a trench 11 and create spoil 12. Thefirst vacuum device 110 is used to vacuum the spoil 12 from the trencher2, preferably also from the trench 11, and deposit the spoil 12 in thefirst container 104. Cable or duct 140 is spooled from the reel 121 andlaid in the trench 11. A fill device 200 is then used to fill the trench11 with fill 212 from an outlet 210 to cover the cable or duct 140. Thesecond vacuum device 114 can be used to vacuum at least a portion of thespoil 12 from the first container 104 and transfer the spoil 12 to thefill device 200 to form the fill 212 from the spoil 12. The trench canbe filled with one or more of the following examples, but not limitedto, cement, grout, sand, self-leveling sealer, expansion joint, epoxywhich is inserted into the trench on top of the cable orinnerduct/microduct.

A further exemplary method is shown in FIG. 5. A micro trencher 2 isused to dig a trench 11 and create spoil 12. The vacuum device 130 isused to vacuum the spoil 12 from the micro trencher 2, preferably alsofrom the trench 11, and deposit the spoil 12 in the first container 104.Cable or duct 140 is spooled from the reel 121 and laid in the trench11. A fill device 200 is then used to fill the trench 11 with fill 212from an outlet 210 to cover the cable or duct 140. The vacuum device 130can be used to vacuum at least a portion of the spoil 12 from the firstcontainer 104 and transfer the spoil 12 to the fill device 200 to formthe fill 212 from the spoil 12.

One or more spoil transport devices are utilized in the presentinvention to transfer spoil from the micro trencher 2, and optionallyalso the trench 11, and move the spoil 12 to first container 104, filldevice 200, trucks, and/or any other devices utilized in the presentinvention. FIGS. 1-8 illustrate embodiments of the spoil transportdevices comprising vacuum devices, as discussed above. Instead of vacuumdevices, the spoil transport devices can be a conveyor 300, a screw 302,or any other spoil moving device as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.Preferably, the spoil transport device for removing spoil from the microtrencher 2 and trench 11 comprises a vacuum device.

A particularly preferred fill 212 comprise bonding agent comprising apolymer additive, concrete mixture and a coloring agent to complete themicro trench or shallow trench backfilling operation. The spoil 12 canbe used as part of the concrete mixture. A commercial example of thebonding agent is SC polymer by SureCrete, which can be found athttp://www.surecretedesign.com/product/liquid-concrete-polymer/. Thebonding agent can be added to the concrete backfill mixture inconjunction with substituting sand and/or spoil for conventional gravelaggregate to allow for use in the micro trench or shallow narrow trenchapplication. By altering the slump or viscosity of the concrete byaltering the water content we were able to control the flow rate andapplication of the mixture into the narrow trench. There are othercommercially available bonding agents that will perform similar theproduct above. Bonding agents for concrete are well-known in the art andany desired bonding agent can be utilized.

One of ordinary skill in the art will be able to adjust the viscosity ofthe bonding agent/concrete mixture fill 212 so that the fill 212 canflow into the shallow narrow trench, such as less than 2″ in width andfrom 2″ to 20″ in depth.

In comparison, previous to the bonding agent/concrete mixture, we usedconcrete mixtures or asphalt mixtures as a the primary backfill in thetrench and then a chemical compound was utilized over top of the mixtureto seal the roadway from water intrusion. By using the concrete with thebonding agent in the trench we have eliminated the need for multiplepasses as the bonding agent will bond to the trench and provide thenecessary seal to the roadway. The chemical compounds utilizedpreviously in sealing the trenches are costly, slow to deploy in somecases, and was required installation crews to complete multiple steps incompleting an operation. Furthermore, by coloring the bondingagent/concrete mixture to match the roadway color we have furtherreduced the cost of installation by completing the backfill in once stepand the coloring is similar to that of an existing roadway. The bondingagent provided the adhesion to the existing surface which in the pastwas completed with different much more expensive chemicals. The bondingagent/concrete mixture allows for the installation of a cement basedproduct with adhesive characteristics. Filling a microtrench in one stepusing a color matched bonding agent/concrete mixture instead of multiplesteps has not been done heretofore.

By pumping or using commercially available concrete installation tools,substituting sand and/or spoil for conventional stone aggregate,regulating the viscosity of the concrete product by adjusting the watercontent, adding the coloring agent to the concrete, and adding a bondingagent, we have developed a method of completing the shallow narrowtrench that is far faster and significantly more cost effective thanprior solutions that are utilized in the industry. This allows forsignificant cost savings compared to other methods of backfilling ashallow narrow trench.

The Figs. show exemplary devices for practicing the claimed inventionthat are now being used by the inventor to install optical fiber cablefor Google. The present invention allows surprisingly far faster andmore efficient installation of the optical fiber, for example multiplecrews installing optical fiber cable for Google are installing from 4000to 6000 feet of optical fiber cable per day. We believe up to 7000 feetper day can be achieved. Conventional methods only allow about 1000 feetper day. The present invention causes far less disruption of roads andpathways. The present invention can also return the roads and pathwaysto their original state with the same colored fill. The presentinvention is not limited to the order of the devices and methodsillustrated in the Figs. and any desired order of devices and steps canbe utilized to practice the claimed invention.

In another embodiment, a marker line 400 as shown in FIG. 10 can beapplied to the surface 402 of the ground to be cut by the microtrencher. In this manner, utilities can see where the micro trench 11will be formed so that the utilities can mark locations of theirinfrastructure 410, such as electrical lines, optical cable, waterlines, sewer lines, or any other infrastructure. The marker line 400 canhave start 406 and stop 408 locations, and can identify the depth. Themaker line can be a solid line, dashed, dotted, contain letters, numbersor symbols, and can be any desired color with white being the mostpreferred.

In another embodiment of the invention, a temporary fiber optic cablenetwork can be laid out on the surface and utilized as a temporaryoptical fiber network. The temporary optical fiber network can beprotected with any desired protection device, such as conduit, tarps,tape or other type of cover, that can be skid proof, and constructed foroutdoor use which can withstand foot and vehicle traffic. For example,the tape can be heated to activate an adhesive, or peelstick, silicone,epoxy glue or any desired type of adhesive. The surface can be a street,sidewalk, driveway, asphalt, concrete, dirt, interior floor, or anyother desired surface.

As shown in FIGS. 11A-11G, the temporary optical fiber network 500includes at least one optical fiber cable 502, and preferably aplurality of optical fiber cables 502. The optical fibers 502 can becoiled on a reel 504 or loosely coiled 506. Each end of the opticalfiber cables 502 can have a connector 510 installed thereon, or aconnector can be installed in the field by a technician. The opticalfiber 502 can be uncoiled to a desired distance and a protection device512, such as tape, applied thereover. A first end of the optical fibercable 502 can be connected to a desired feed using the first connector514. The second end of the coil can be connected to any desired locationusing the second connector 516. The connectors 514, 516 can be connectedto splitters 518 or any desired device. The desired location can bedwelling, sporting event, military site, or any other desired location.

The reel 504 and loose coil 506 allows the fiber cable 502 to bedeployed to any desired length and also to be recoiled if necessary. Thesecond end connector 516 can be constructed so that the second endconnector 516 can remain connected while the reel 504 is rotated,similar in design to the Cam plex reels. Alternatively, the second endconnector 516 can be disconnected while the reel 504 is rotated so thatthe connector 516 can rotate with the reel 504. The loose coil 506 orwound reel 504 can be installed within a box 520. The box 520 cancontain multiple reels 504 or coils 506. The box 520 can be formed fromplastic, metal, galvanized, stainless steel, concrete, fiberglass,rubber or any other suitable material. The reels 504 can be mounted onbracket(s) or rod(s) 522 that can be placed from side to side(horizontal) or from bottom to top (vertical). Spacers can be placed inbetween the reels so they can spin independently of each other. The box520 can have any desired shape, such as tubular, square, triangular,rectangular or any other desired shape. The box 520 can have a lid ordoor that can be locked or otherwise secured. The box 520 can be mountedon a roller. The box 520 can be buried, mounted pole, or secured in anydesired location.

The box 520 can have one or more optical fiber extenders, such as reels504 or loose coils 506, for input 534 to allow optical fiber 502 to beunwound for a temporary or final installation. The box 520 can have oneor more optical fiber extenders, such as reels 504 or loose coils 506,for output 532 to allow optical fiber 502 to be unwound for aconnection(s) to and additional box(es) 520 for temporary or finalinstallation. The box 520 can have one or more optical fiber extenders,such as reels 504 or coils 506, for fiber drops 530 to allow opticalfiber 502 to be unwound for connections to customers for temporary orfinal installation.

After using the temporary optical fiber network 500, once the desiredlocation of the optical fiber 502 and box(s) 520 are known, the opticalfiber network can be made permanent by removing the protection device512, creating slack in the optical fiber 502 by uncoiling the opticalfiber from the extenders in the box 520, creating a microtrench asdescribed herein, burying the optical fiber and covering the opticalfiber with a fill, and permanently mounting or burying the box(s) 520.

Fiber optic converter/extenders on a 1000 foot reel are known.Commercial examples are cmx-tacngo-sdi tac-n-go 3G sdi fiber opticconverter/extender, TAC1 Simplex LC fiber optic tactical cable reel, andTac-N-Go fiber optic by Camplex. www.camplex.com. These are fielddeployable optical fiber reel systems. Corning systems also providesfiber optic convert/extenders at any desired length, any number ofconnectors, such as 1 strand to 864 strands, usually from 6 strands to432 strands, and the fiber optic cables can be connectorized in field oralready have a connector applied. The known reels can be utilized in thepresent box 520 and permanently mounted.

The temporary taped optical fiber installation can be utilized toprovide an optical fiber network 500 to a desired user, such as aneighborhood, business, sporting event, military complex, or any otherdesired location. Once the desired location of the optical fiber isdetermined, slack can be provided in the optical fiber 502, the tape 512removed, a nanotrench or microtrench 11 can be formed, the optical fiber502 installed in the trench 11, and then the trench 11 can be filled 212using any desired method, such as the methods described herein above.Instead of the microtrench 11, the optical fiber can be mounted inconduits, drills, core drill, hung, walls, hydrovac, and/or directionaldrill. If the optical fiber 502 is on a reel 504 within the box 520, thebox 520 and reel 504 can be permanently mounted. In addition to the fill212 described above, the buried fiber cable 502 can be covered with selfleveling grout, caulking, asphalt, tar, SL1, cold patch, concrete,sterling Loyd, of other fill products.

The present invention includes a system, method and device forconnecting a fiber optic feeder cable 502, by the second connector 516,that supplies one or more signal types, such as television (TV), data(e.g., internet access), and telephone (fixed wireline or cellular), toa plurality of units (offices or dwellings) in a multi-unit building. Insome example embodiments, the device may be used to connect a new feederline 502 to existing internal wiring (twisted pair, coaxial cable,etc.). In addition or alternatively, the device can be used to connect afeeder line 502 to a wifi, local network, telephone network, or anyother desired connection within the building. The invention can also beused to supply a neighborhood. For example, if coax is already connectedto an existing neighborhood, the coax can be connected to cards in a boxand an optical fiber 502 can be inputted into the box so that coax doesnot have to be replaced saving considerable time and expense. In thismanner the box can be placed on a telephone pole or near an opticalfiber connection so that and optical fiber 502 input can be connected tothe multiple existing coax cables.

Specifically, in many buildings it may be cost prohibitive and/orimpractical to run fiber 502 to each unit. In addition, the variousowners of units may want to purchase services that require differentdrop connections (i.e., the wiring (twisted pair, fiber, coax, etc.)that connects the unit to the feeder line 502. In addition, it may bemore economical to use an existing drop connection (e.g., twisted pair)for some services (e.g., telephone). For example, one dwelling unit maypurchase only telephone service (which may employ a twisted pair dropconnection), another dwelling unit may purchase telephone and televisionservice (which may employ a coaxial cable or coax cable and twisted pairdrop connection), and yet another dwelling unit may purchase onlyinternet access (which may employ a fiber conductor or coaxial cabledrop connection). Embodiments of the present invention may be used toservice buildings to supply service to units using any of various mediaincluding twisted pair, coaxial cable, fiber optics, CAT-5 (Ethernet),and/or others. The disclosure in my previous U.S. Pat. No. 9,485,468 isincorporated herein by reference.

While the device for cutting a microtrench device is preferably utilizedto bury the temporary optical fiber network, any trenching device can beutilized. For example, the trench can be ⅛ inch to 1.5 inch wide and upto 6 inches deep when using the microtrenched, or 0.75 to 3 inches wide,and as deep as 24 inches for larger trenching devices.

It is to be understood that the foregoing illustrative embodiments havebeen provided merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way tobe construed as limiting of the invention. Words used herein are wordsof description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Inaddition, the advantages and objectives described herein may not berealized by each and every embodiment practicing the present invention.Further, although the invention has been described herein with referenceto particular structure, materials and/or embodiments, the invention isnot intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein. Rather,the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methodsand uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. Thoseskilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of thisspecification, may affect numerous modifications thereto and changes maybe made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

1. A multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling containerdevice constructed for continuously trenching, laying a cable orinnerduct/microduct, and filling the trench comprising: a first traileror first truck; a first container constructed to contain spoil on thefirst trailer or first truck; at least one spoil transport deviceconstructed to continuously transport at least a portion of the spoilfrom a micro trencher creating a trench and deposit the spoil in thefirst container and constructed to transfer at least a portion of thespoil from the first container to a fill device; and at least one reelholder constructed to hold a reel of the cable or innerduct/microduct onthe first trailer or first truck, or on a second trailer or second truckand constructed to continuously lay the cable or innerduct/microduct inthe trench.
 2. The multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handlingcontainer according to claim 1, further comprising an outlet constructedto allow air to flow into and/or out of the first container.
 3. Themultifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one spoil transport devicecomprises a vacuum device.
 4. The multifunctional reel carrier, spoilmaterial handling container according to claim 3, wherein the at leastone vacuum device comprises a first vacuum device constructed to vacuumspoil from the micro trencher and a second vacuum device constructedtransfer the spoil from the first container to the fill device.
 5. Themultifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one reel holder constructedto hold a reel of cable or innerduct/microduct is present on a secondtrailer or second truck following the first trailer or first truck. 6.The multifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling containeraccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one spoil transport devicecomprises a conveyor.
 7. The multifunctional reel carrier, spoilmaterial handling container according to claim 1, wherein the at leastone spoil transport device comprises a screw.
 8. The multifunctionalreel carrier, spoil material handling container according to claim 1,further comprising a micro trencher.
 9. A method of continuously layingcable or innerduct/microduct comprising: continuously using amicro-trencher to cut a micro-trench in ground and create spoil;continuously transporting at least a portion of the spoil from themicro-trencher to a first container constructed to contain spoil usingat least one spoil transporting device; continuously laying the cableand/or innerduct/microduct in the trench from a reel device; andcontinuously filling the trench with a fill from the fill device. 10.The method according to claim 9, wherein the steps of continuouslytransporting the spoil from the micro-trencher to a first containerconstructed to contain spoil using a first spoil transporting device andcontinuously laying the cable and/or innerduct/microduct in the trenchfrom a reel device are conducted using a micro-trencher using amultifunctional reel carrier, spoil material handling container devicecomprising: a first truck or first trailer; the first containerconstructed to contain spoil being on the first truck or first trailer;and the at least one spoil transporting device constructed to transferspoil from a micro trencher and deposit the spoil in the firstcontainer.
 11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising usingat least one spoil transporting device to transport at least a portionof the spoil from the first container to the fill device, wherein thefill comprises at least a portion of the spoil.
 12. The method accordingto claim 9, further comprising using an outlet constructed to allow airto flow into and/or out of the first container.
 13. The method accordingto claim 9, wherein the first spoil transporting device comprising atleast one vaccum device.
 14. The method according to claim 12, whereinthe at least one vacuum device comprises a first vacuum device and usingthe first vacuum device to vacuum spoil from the micro trencher anddeposit the spoil into the first container.
 15. The method according toclaim 9, wherein the second spoil transporting device comprises at leastone second vacuum device, and using the second vacuum device to transferthe spoil from the first container to the fill device.
 16. The methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the at least one reel holder constructedto hold a reel of cable or innerduct/microduct is present on a secondtrailer or second truck following the first trailer or first truck. 17.The method according to claim 9, wherein the second spoil transportingdevice comprises a conveyor.
 18. The method according to claim 9,wherein the second spoil transporting device comprises a screw.
 19. Themethod according to claim 9, wherein the ground has a roadway surfaceand the trench is cut through the roadway surface.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 18, wherein the fill comprises a bonding agent. 21.The method according to claim 19, wherein the fill comprises a coloringagent so that a color of the fill when cured substantially matches acolor of the surface the trench is formed in.
 22. The method accordingto claim 9, further comprising applying a line marker to the ground tobe cut by the micro trencher.
 23. The method according to claim 21,wherein the marker line has identifies a start and a stop position. 24.The method according to claim 22, wherein the filling of the microtrenchis conducted in one step.
 25. A method of providing a temporary andpermanent optical fiber network comprising: dispensing an optical fiberfrom a support, the optical fiber having a first end and a second end;laying the dispensed optical fiber on a surface; covering the dispensedoptical fiber with a protection device that protects the optical fiberfrom footwear or vehicle traffic; connecting the first end to a feed;connecting the second end to a desired user; and using the method ofclaim 9 to bury the optical fiber to form a permanent optical fibernetwork.
 26. The method according to claim 25, further comprisingpermanently mounting or burying the support.
 27. The method according toclaim 25, wherein the support comprises a reel.
 28. The method accordingto claim 25, wherein the optical fiber having a first optical fiberconnector mounted on the first end and a second optical fiber connectormounted on the second end.
 29. The method according to claim 25,utilizing box comprising the support, having one or more first opticalfiber extenders comprising a first reel or first loose coil of opticalfiber for input to the box to allow optical fiber to be unwound for atemporary or final installation, one or more second optical fiberextenders comprising a second reel or second loose coil of optical fiberfor output from the box to allow optical fiber to be unwound for aconnection to and additional box for a temporary or final installation,and one or more third optical fiber extenders comprising a third reel orthird coil of optical fiber for fiber drops from the box to allowoptical fiber to be unwound for connections to customers for temporaryor final installation.
 30. The method according to claim 24, wherein thefill comprises a bonding agent and a coloring agent so that a color ofthe fill when cured substantially matches a color of the surface thetrench is formed in.